Clément Noël, the defending Olympic slalom champion, experienced a significant setback during the first round of the slalom event at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Despite the anticipation from both him and the French ski team, Noël’s performance fell drastically short, leaving him with little hope for a medal. His feelings of disappointment were echoed in a candid interview where he reflected on the challenges faced during the run.

In his remarks, Noël acknowledged that the snow conditions were reasonable but indicated the course contained several tricky elements that contributed to his poor performance. His statement "it's a bit of a shame for the team" highlights his disappointment not just in himself but for the expectations set for the French skiing contingent at the Olympics. This first round, seen as a major letdown, contrasts sharply with the team's potential, as they have consistently demonstrated higher skills in previous competitions.

As the second round is slated to take place in the afternoon, there remains a glimmer of hope for Noël to recover from this initial blow. However, the shadow of this first run looms large, casting doubt on his chances to reclaim his title. The sting of such a poor start may have lasting implications not only for Noël's Olympic aspirations but also for the morale of the French ski team as a whole.